Socialism.

A book called "The Trumpet Voice from the Throne," and published in the State of Washington, is sent us with the request to give a word as to it, as it is largely distributed in those parts, and professes to be Christian in character.

The book is a defense of Socialism. It is Christian in character after the fashion of Mormonism and Christian Science. The use of Scripture in the hands of its author, and the revelations and new light he has received from it compare well with Joe Smith and Mary Baker Eddy, though for a different purpose. How such persons dare to use God's holy Word as they do to further their political and social hobbies, or their financial greed, only shows how hardened in conscience men are becoming.

Who but a madman could associate the communion of the early Christians, as related in Acts a, with the murderous communism of modern times ? There is no less difference between the two than between the kind-hearted man who distributes his goods among the poor and the highway robber who demands your purse or your life.

The author hates the church of Rome. No wonder. God hates her too, and has predicted her terrible overthrow in terms unmistakable. But He hates her from a very different motive than the egotistic, self-admiring author of this book. When God sees men parading in princely style, running thousands of miles to be "arrayed in purple and scarlet," ever plotting for political power, misleading multitudes, and yet pretending to be the representatives of His holy, heavenly, meek and lowly Son, His judgment must come upon it all; and when it comes, '' the fear of her torment" will be upon all, and make them stand afar off.

God hates no less, however, the brazen-facedness which seeks to associate the name of His Son, who '' came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them," with banded men to whom human life is nothing if they may but reach their end. As all who use the word of God for mere political or social ends, the necessity of the new birth to make us children of God is ignored by this writer. His "brotherhood" is in humanity, fallen and unchanged by divine grace -a humanity which, in that state, he can no more bring into a real brotherhood than he can bring shark and shad into a brotherhood.

The brotherhood of the Bible is in Christ, formed by a mighty change wrought in the heart of man by the Spirit of God, which transforms him after the image of his Saviour.

Ignoring this is ignoring steam for the engine, or the mainspring for the clock. It makes every movement of man, whether religious, social, educational, political, or aught else, utterly hopeless to remove the ills of humanity. It is all medical treatment offered to a dead man. Christ received as a personal Saviour and Lord is the only hope. When the writer in question has found this for himself in Christ, he will burn his book, and sorrow at having used such holy things for such unholy ends.

Heaven.
People talk much of heaven, the bliss of heaven, the joys of heaven, etc. They know every one there is going to enjoy the fullest blessedness possible. This much of the revelation which God has given of heaven has laid hold on them. Even the ungodly-people who here on earth would flee from the society of godly persons-talk of the happiness they look for in heaven.

What then constitutes the happiness of heaven ? A few passages among many from Scripture give the answer:"Absent from the body . . . present with the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8). It is to be in heaven, of course, for the Lord is there; but the bliss is not being in heaven but "with the Lord."

In 2 Thess. 4:17 it is said, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (the raised from the dead) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:and so shall we ever be with the Lord." In heaven, of course, but the attraction and bliss is to "ever be with the Lord."

In Philippians i :23 the apostle expresses his ' 'desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better." He had been "caught up to the third heaven " before this, and he knew the unutterable bliss of it, but evidently that bliss was "to be with Christ."

" I will come again and receive you unto Myself" the Lord said to His disciples.

"Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am," He said again.

We need not multiply quotations. It is the love of Christ to us and ours to Him which will make heaven such a blissful place. It is not the palatial residence, the costly furnishings, the array of servants, which make a home. A home is made by love. It is the love of Jesus, the love of the Father, the fellowship of the Spirit which, having enraptured the soul, will make heaven the delight of the redeemed. Thus in the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling-place of the saints, it is the presence of God and the Lamb that enlightens it throughout.

One who loves not our Lord in sincerity could not endure being there. The thought of it, even to a Christian, is not attractive here unless he cultivate acquaintance and fellowship with God in his daily life. Having seen and learned the love of God in the cross of Christ, how cheerfully now we turn our faces to Him where He is, gladly welcoming the hour when He will take us to the home of His love.